Nearly every generation experiences at least one monumental event in which everyone remembers where he or she was for that historic occassion. For those old enough, they will remember what they were doing when news broke of the first moon landing, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the resignation of Richard Nixon. Today, we remember yet another event that is even more poignant, that is, today we remember with great sorrow the deadliest terrorist attack perpetrated on American soil. While many still mourn the loss of family members and friends, the Christian should be reminded of an answer to one question in particular: Where was God when America was attacked? The following is a portion of an article originally written in the wake of the September 11th attacks.
By now the sights and sounds of the terrorist attack on America are familiar. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 two passenger airliners were hi-jacked and deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone onboard, while many others perished when the towers collapsed.
The nightmare continued when word was received that another plane was crashed into the Pentagon. And still more horror was reported when an airplane went down in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
For many within the Christian community two questions arise: "What should be a biblical response to this terrorist activity?" and, "Where was God when America was attacked?"
Neither of these questions is easy to answer. Not all people will be united in their thoughts. Nevertheless, an attempt has to be made to address what is happening in the world.
First, what should be America’s response? The biblical answer can be summarized in one word—justice. Justice cries out that those who perpetrated these actions are pursed until they are caught and executed with swiftness. Psalm 82:3 declares that individuals have a responsibility to "defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy." Not punishing those who planned, participated, and protected the perpetrators—those who slaughtered the innocent—would be an evil equal to that of the initial act. The State has the right and the responsibility to wield the sword swiftly so that people of conscience can again sing:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal; Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, Since God is marching on."
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat: Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him!" Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on."
(Julia Ward Howe, Atlantic Monthly, February 1862)
Beyond the question of what is to be a Christian response to this nightmare is the haunting question, "Where was God when America was attacked?" Let me suggest first of all that God was present prior to the planes striking their various targets. Had God so decreed the Arab plot could have been detected as easily as Queen Esther exposed the plans of Haman to the Persian king Ahasuerus, in the fifth century BC. The Prime Minister Haman hated Jews in general and the Jew Mordecai in particular. It was his plan to destroy all the Israelites in the Persian Empire in a single day, but God allowed His plans to be exposed and the Jews were allowed to defend themselves.
In His providence, God chose, in this instance, not to fully expose ahead of time the evil of men but to allow certain plans to proceed as was conceived in the wicked imaginations of their hearts.
This is not to suggest, however, that God was immediately responsible for the carnage that was conveyed. It is to say that God is sovereignly in control over all things including the evil which men do. Sin is a great mystery. It cannot be fully understood why God has allowed sin into the universe He created, but it is here in mystery form. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7 the apostle Paul wrote, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work." But we do not understand fully why that is so. Perhaps God knows that higher ends will be accomplished by the admission of sin than by its exclusion.
What is more certain is that God, in His sovereignty, knows how to turn what is wrong into something that is wonderful. The place of suffering and shame can become a place of triumph and glory. The greatest illustration of this truth is Calvary.
The plans to crucify Christ were known to the mind of God prior to their implementation. Nevertheless, the Father allowed the death of His Son so that grace might abound. The place of evil was transformed into the place of redemption. The sovereignty of God over sin was manifested. So it was that God was present prior to the attack on America. Jesus said that a bird cannot fall to the ground without the Father being aware of the fall (Matt. 10:29). And yet the creature does fall according to divine sovereignty.
Second, God was present during the moments of murder, mayhem, and madness. Consider the evidence. While many lives were taken others were miraculously spared. Even after the buildings collapsed cell phones could be heard ringing. From under the rubble precious lives were rescued. Some of the most skeptical of news commentators have spoken of the "miracle" of the survival of some.
The collateral damage in the attack on America was not as severe as it might have been had all the plans of the terrorists been executed. Apparently, the White House was targeted for destruction as well as the Capitol Building not to mention Air Force One. In His mercy and providence God intervened. At strategic moments brave men and women gave their lives to bring a sky-jacked plane crashing into the ground in Pennsylvania rather than let it proceed to Washington, D.C. In many ways the restraining hand of God was present during the ordeal. God says to the evil that men do, "This far and no more."
Third, it can be affirmed that after the attack on America God was present. The truth of this is also reflected in specific ways.
Elected officials in the highest echelons of government began to pray and lead the nation in moments of silence to encourage others to cry out to the God of heaven for mercy and grace. What national leaders forbid legally they suddenly were doing without shame or protest. Voices were lifted on the Capitol steps in unison to sing God Bless America with the emphasis on God.
A day of mourning and prayer was set aside—from the East Coast to the West. In the North and in the South the country was asked to mourn and weep and to pray on Friday, the 14th of September. Since the bombings churches have been sought out. People of all faiths have streamed into religious sanctuaries seeking peace and the face of the Lord afresh.
All across the country signs were erected: "Pray for the USA." Religious institutions hung out a simple notice: Open for Prayer. And millions have found themselves on their faces asking for grace and mercy.
Will any good come out of the attack on America? Is the statement of Romans 8:28 true? Does God really work all things together for the good? The answer is an emphatic, "Yes!"
Families have been drawn closer together. As the news of the bombings were reported many parents immediately went to the schools or day care centers to get their children. Phone calls were made. Emails were hastily sent. People reached out to touch others with care and compassion.
Money and resources have been made available to help the victims of the bombings in any way possible.
The nation has been humbled and reminded not to trust in the false security that wealth and a strong military defense seems to offer. Our hope is in the Lord. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).
With all that said, once more Americans are standing proud. There are not enough flags in production that can meet the demand as countless millions want to fly the flag and sing the songs of patriotism. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, one of Japan’s leaders said, "I am afraid we have awakened a sleeping giant."
If the terrorist wanted to frighten the country and divided it they have failed in their mission. The country is not frightened but ready to fight—and fight we will. The country is not divided but united more than it has been since 1991. A renewed sense of patriotism is part of the good that has come out of tragedy.
Perhaps the greatest good the Lord will work is an opportunity to share the gospel by reminding people to prepare to meet God. The men and women who walked into the Word Trade Towers, those who climbed on board the airplanes, or worked in the Pentagon did not suspect they would die before the day was done.
On a beautiful sunny September day death stalked unsuspecting victims. Bodies were suddenly crushed beneath glass and steel or torn apart with the impact of a crash landing. From the windows of the Twin Towers some people joined hands and then jumped to a certain death. "I saw people jumping out of windows, the building just blew up, people just kept jumping and jumping and jumping and you can see that they were alive because they were just flailing," one New York witness reported.
Because no one knows the day or the hour of their death people must learn afresh to live in light of eternity. We are all heading for the grave. It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment. We need to ask ourselves: "Am I ready to die? Am I ready for the judgment? Am I prepared to meet God?" As Christians we have the opportunity to seize the moment and talk to others about the way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians we have the promise of eternal life and the hope of the resurrection. Let us hasten to invite people to come to Christ upon gospel repentance. Let us go and tell the world our hope is in the Lord and so it is well, it is well with our souls.
